Volunteer Highlight: Cheryl Leads the FARSB Way

Wednesday, April 16th, 2025

Photo Credits: FARSB

Meet Cheryl, she is a Volunteer Lead for the FARSB food bank, helping to keep the warehouse running smoothly, training first-time volunteers, and consistently supporting her neighbors in need in her city. As a Riverside resident, she discovered FARSB's warehouse while searching for volunteer opportunities and was immediately captivated by the work she could do.

"I tried to do office work once and was like, 'No!' " said Cheryl Tavaglione, one of our beloved volunteer leads, recounting her first time volunteering for FARSB. "I wanted to do something physical, and I started doing the boxes, the sorting, all of that," she continued, "I just love that!"

She had volunteered elsewhere, but after learning how severe food insecurity was in the IE, she felt that other opportunities no longer aligned with her goals. Discovering the food bank helped her find the kind of volunteer work she was passionate about, and she began signing up for every shift her schedule allowed. In a short time, she advanced to the role of lead volunteer.

Cheryl volunteering at FARSB's 2024 Curbing Hunger soup luncheon.

How it Started

"I did office work my whole life," Tavaglione said, "I don't want to do that, so I went to the warehouse." She realized she sought to do something that felt helpful to those in need, and after retiring from her own business, she understood she didn't want to return to office work. Therefore, taking shifts at the warehouse appeared to be the perfect fit.

She began sorting canned or shelf-stable food items at the warehouse, helping at fundraising events, and handing out food boxes at distributions. This was where her heart was and where she decided to help meet the needs of her community. Spending some time at the food bank warehouse showed her the large amount of donations coming in and the work needed to be done, and when she saw the lead program opportunity open up, she took it.

As a Volunteer Lead, Cheryl can decide what hours she wants to be at the warehouse and is allowed to use the manual pallet jack to help transfer finished pallets or products to the distribution side of the warehouse. This elevated role has suited her well, and she's been a welcome addition to the FARSB team.

Taking the Lead Role

She began volunteering around 2018 and became a lead immediately. Besides a brief stint away from volunteer shifts due to the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, she's been an incredible staple at the warehouse for all staff, new volunteers, and clients, when they do have an opportunity to interact, which she loves!

The Volunteer Lead program was implemented to ensure that we had a group of individuals who'd completed the food safety training and could answer questions from new volunteers and assist with the handling of products when the Volunteer Team was away. This program has continued, and the results have been all positive.

As a lead, Cheryl takes on the task of helping new volunteers learn the ropes and identify products that are soiled, unmarked, or otherwise unusable. "If you give us those opportunities, especially seniors, it just makes us feel so good!" She explained, "Most of the leads are seniors, and I loved going to the warehouse, but this is perfect. I tell people I work at the food bank!"

Cheryl stocking the freezers at the Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman.

Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman

"As soon as I heard about the [Fresh Start Pantry by Goodman], I was so excited! Anything that I can do that I can see and interact with people, I enjoy." Tavaglione explained, speaking about the newly opened, on-site client-choice pantry.

This space opened in January 2025, as part of FARSB's Food as Medicine initiative, and is a resource for referred individuals to get food assistance onsite. It looks and functions like a grocery store and offers clients a choice in the food they get. This is a wonderful option for those who want another chance to volunteer, can't volunteer in the warehouse, or want to meet clients face-to-face. "I love the interaction!" Cheryl adds.

"I've packed up the boxes and I know [clients] are grateful, but what if they don't like some of that stuff? Here, that first month, that's what we heard. How nice it was to get what they wanted and what they liked." Cheryl continued, "It was great!"

The pantry is open limited hours on Tuesday to Thursday, and offers the ability to help clients shop for themselves and assist with the daily operations of the pantry. Every Monday, there are volunteer shifts for replenishing, organizing, rotating products, stocking shelves, and assisting with the weekly food donation delivery.

If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please visit: FeedingIE.org/volunteer